Hill tourist lodge names kick up a row

SNS SERVICE DARJEELING, 6 DECEMBER 21 : The president of the Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha (BGPM), Anit Thapa, today said that the names of two state-run tourist lodges in Darjeeling and Kurseong should be renamed in accordance with local ethos.

Mr Thapa has shot a letter to state minister Indranil Sen, expressing his displeasure at the way the name of the Kurseong Tourist Lodge had been changed to Roudra Chhaya Tourism Property and that of Darjeeling Tourist Lodge to Meghbalika Tourism Property.

"While travelling from Kurseong to Darjeeling, I noticed that the iconic tourist lodge located in Kurseong had been renamed. On further enquiry, I also came to understand that the Darjeeling Tourist Lodge had also been renamed by the Department of Tourism. Since these places are not just lodges, but landmark heritage sites, which carry their own legacy attached with the age-old sentiments of our community, our people have a deep sense of belonging to these places with sentimental value and emotional attachment," Mr Thapa said in a press release today.

"I immediately called the Minister of State (Independent Charge) Indranil Sen and apprised him oft his sensitive issue, for which he responded positively. Within a few days, both the tourist lodges will be renamed in accordance with the local ethos," he added.